Chapter Six: The Paths of the Dead:

Severus woke quickly to find he was still in the camp of Theoden and with the Dunedain. Aragon was gone and the sun had yet to show her face, what was more Gandalf was gone completely from the camp with one of the hobbits. He sat up and got ready as soon it was time to ride. He saw Aragon speaking to the king of Rohan and both were in a heated discussion. Finally Theoden shook his head and put a hand on Aragon's shoulder and then sent him off. Aragon gave the order for his men to saddle up and Severus did as ordered. He was ordered as a princeling to ride with Aragon which he found strange. As the men mounted Aragon addressed them.

"I seek the paths of the dead, I take none but those that wish to join me this day freely."

"I will join." Gimi said, "let it not be said a dwarf is a coward."

"I will join you." Legolas said.

"I pledged to follow you wherever you went." Severus said, "and I meant it, and I will trod the paths of the dead with you."

"This path is not yours, you need not come." Aragon said, "but ride with me a bit."

"Sire I will ride with you, I meant I would follow you through hell and I will stand by that." Severus said.

"Very well, then I take your oath," Aragon said then louder, "I take the oaths of all who will follow me!"

Every man then agreed and with that Aragon turned his horse toward the Dunharrow as fast as they could. Severus had never ridden so far but he found that middle earth was doing wonders for his health and found he could handle the ride well. There was not much talk or laughter or even song as the men knew what they rode for. They came on Dunharrow and rode up a great host and there they stayed the night and rested before on the morrow they headed out along the paths through the Harrowdale and to the black gate. Here Severus felt horrors he had not since facing Sauron but he had to go on, to fight. The horses were full of fear and the men dismounted. Severus pet his horse and whispered to her kind words as did each of the men. Then men and horses entered the paths of the dead.

To Severus it was oppressive and unkind to say the least. He hated the darkness, the feeling of hopelessness. For hours, days he did not know he stumbled on until they stopped and the darkness and horror were too much. He fell to his knees, every terrible action he had made in life, every unkind thing or word he had uttered came back to him. He was weeping and could not move and tried, tried as hard as he could. Gimi watched as did Legolas and Aragon came up to him and look on him in pity. Many of the men here brave and strong as they were seemed on the verge of breaking down.

"Come Severus, come now, time to wake up from the night." Aragon said holding out his hand, "come now to all wake we shall win this day, come Severus!"

"I am too weak." Severus said.
"Then I shall help you." Aragon said getting him to his feet and embracing him in a manly hug, "you can do this, you have come so far, walk with me, these horrors are but for a moment and will flee."

"Yes sire, I am sorry sire." Severus said.

"You have had more darkness and terror in your life, but come, you will win this day, we all will!" Aragon turned to his men, "we will win this day!"

With that the company moved on and Severus knew he had to let Aragon lead him fully, he heard a scared whinny and realized he had a charge himself. He would see to his horse as they went through and not fail this quest. After hours upon hours they were out in the moon light but he was still back in the horrors of the Paths. He did not register the oath that Aragon demanded be filled by the oath breakers and barely kept to his horse. Legolas saw this and rode up to Aragon and had a word with him concern on his face. He had not wanted Severus to take this path and he feared he would die here.

Severus fell from his horse and lay on the ground and Legolas was there at once. Legolas knew Severus as well as he knew himself, how could he not? He had been in the judgment and had seen the man's life. He knew Severus was only trying to do what he thought best but the paths had not been for him. He could still die here but Legolas was not going to let that happen. He drew a vial from his outer tunic opened it and made Severus drink. Severus opened his eyes and Legolas gave him lembas to eat which Severus did. Then he gave him another vial, something about these vials was helping him and he did not know why.

"There you are, you should be better now." Legolas said, "the paths nearly killed you."

"I am sorry, I am weak." Severus said as he was once more helped up.

"Not so, you do have horrors and such most of us do not." Gimi said, "do not worry, you made it through, now we go to battle."

"Yes, I will prove I belong here." Severus said.

"You already have." Aragon said, "your battles are not all physical and you are winning, come princeling."

Severus found the draught cool and warm at the same time and he felt he could go on and fight. He road with a host thrice the size of the one they had ridden into the paths with. All fled, and hid before them and then they were on the great river Anduin and there were many ships with slaves changed to the oars, great men once warriors themselves, many dark skinned and held fast with spells. The great host swarm over the armies of Sauron here and utterly destroyed them and freed the prisoners. A full two thousand former prisoners joined with Aragon to fight with him and save Minas Tirith while the remaining five thousand would remain and help protect the lands here. The sun was dim and hidden by clouds and no wind stirred and the ships labored to get up the river. Then the winds came when all hope seemed lost and the ships were on their way to aid Minas Tirith.

This would be a fine hour for all and Severus would find he was a warrior. When the ships docked the great army surged forward and Severus rode his fiery steed to battle. Sadly she was killed under him but he managed to roll away and had his sword out and shield fixed to his left arm. He started to fight and the battle was one he was the most confused and scared of that is to say the most proud much later. He should have been, he proved he was worthy of being here and hacked through orcs like water. The battle was going well and he moved forward fighting for more than just his life, he fought for freedom and fought as a free man not a slave of a terrible dark lord. He saw the great fell-beast destroyed and then the horrible black figure. The witch king and Severus did as many before him had, he dropped his sword and shield and fell to his knees unable to move.

"I will smite you this day!" Dunhelm a young warrior who had yet to grow a beard said. "No more will you harm others!"

"No man can kill me!" The witch king said.

"I am no man!"

With that Dunhelm threw aside his helm and there stood a woman tall and proud, her long golden hair braided down her back. Severus knew her, this was the princess Eowyn and she was a fierce warrior and he loved her. He tried to speak but was unable and he watched as first Merry, (and what was he doing here) stabbed the foul creature in the leg and then Eowyn slew him with her sword and fell and did not move. Severus passed out and woke to find himself alone on the battlefield. He rose and walked towards Minas Tirith a heavy sadness over him. He drew out the small vial Legolas had given him and drank that down and felt if not better that he could go on at least. He entered the city and found Gandalf coming back down and a warm smile on his face at seeing Severus.

"Well done, come, you look as if you could use the houses of healing." Gandalf said.

"Yes, that should be fine, were is the king?" Severus asked.

"Theoden lies dead in the great fortress, come now." Gandalf said knowing he spoke of another king but it was not the right time for that.

"I don't know if I can make it." Severus said and at once he felt strong arms hold him up.

"Then I shall help you Istari." Legolas said, "let it not be said I have not helped one such as you."

"You have." Severus said. "Before this."

If not for Legolas he never would have made it to the houses of healing. Once there he saw Gimi sitting at the bed of Merry. Severus tried to move forward but fell to the floor and passed out. The fact he had made it this far with his dark past abet with help impressed those here. He did not wake to see Aragon come and began to heal and woke a day later in bed clad in clean linen. Gimi and Legolas were arguing as good friends do outside the window. Gandalf was seated by him for a moment smoking his pipe. Severus knew he did not do that unless he was relaxed and dare he say happy? Severus knew his battle was far from over, there was more he had to do and he would. Yet for now there was a lightness, the battle had been won and he could rest for a time.

"You did very well, you made it through the paths, I did not want you to go that way, and if I had known you intended to go that way I would have taken you with me." Gandalf said.

"But you said I had a test he set to pass." Severus said.

"Not that one." Aragon said, "but you were set on coming, and I would not refuse one who wished to be in my service."

"I was a fool then." Severus said.

"No, no not at all, you are far stronger than you know." Gandalf replied, "and now you can rest."

"No, there has to be more I can do." Severus said sitting up, "I must do more."

"I like him!" Pippin said entering in the livery of the tower, "a nice enough fellow, I heard of the paths, I don't think I could have done that."

"I barely did, Legolas saved me." Severus replied.

"He does that." Merry said, "I like elves."

"As do I, I find them good." Severus said, "a good people."

"Legolas is alright but the lady, oh the lady white and fair!" Gimi said, "if you saw her."

"I have" Severus said, "as is known."

"Then is she not the most beautiful lady you have ever seen?"

"She is, no need to fetch you axe. Even in the state I was in she was beautiful" Severus said, "I am in need of food, and beer if there is any to be had."

"Now I really like him." Merry said, "I am hungry too."

"You are a hobbit, hobbits are always hungry." Gimi said.

Severus dressed and followed them to a small chamber and found food, bread, cheese, dried meat and last years apples. There was beer and he did have a mug or two. It was not strong and barely affected him, then again he was used to drinking fire-whisky and this was nothing to one such as him. It was very good beer though, thick and rich, like a good stout back home. He knew he had much more to do but for now he was safe and with dare he say it friends?

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Aragon had a task for Severus that does not matter now and no, it did not involve the paths of the dead. He was going to send him to Minas Tirith but Severus had other ideas. There is more war and battles to come for him.

Anyway do review please!